Advice From Someone Who Has Learned About Life

  After 80 years of life, I think I can give some advice.

  Take time to know where you want to be and how to get there. For now, be in the moment. Don't wish for yesterday but anticipate tomorrow. 

  What steps can you take to be where you want to be? What actions do you need to take to get there? Wait, be sure it's where you truly want to be. Right now be happy where you are.

  Be Willing to Learn. Learn to work harder on yourself than you do on anything else; read, listen to tapes, journal, take classes, have meaningful conversations. Never stop learning.

  

  There is no truth to the axiom, 'you can't teach an old dog new tricks'. No matter where you are in life, you are capable of learning something new. Never stop learning, it can bring so much joy.

  Simplify Your Life. What is it that makes us think the more we do and the more we have, the better we are? Why do we allow ourselves to become so over-burdened with 'have to do this and have to do that'? When do we take the time to just 'be'?

  Are you happy running here, dashing there, getting this, getting that? Can you choose what you are going to do? If it isn't vital to your life, you can turn it down. Omit one unnecessary thing from your life right now and make time to just be.

Spread Happiness. Wherever you go, take a moment to do something that will make another person feel good. Make someone smile. The more people you make happy, the more happiness you will feel. 

Throw off thoughts that are negative, they don't belong in your life. Wrap yourself in things that bring you joy and keep them always within reach.

Be Thankful. No matter what you have in life, be thankful. Start a gratitude journal. Every day take a moment to be thankful for something, even if it is just that you got up in the morning and had a new day to embrace happiness. 

Be thankful for the little things, then watch as the bigger things come into your life. It happens. You can start it happening right now by being thankful for this moment. 

Anticipate. Look forward to things coming into your life. Visualize them. Feel as if they are already here. A warmth will embrace you, a smile will sneak onto your face, and your eyes will light up. This is how happiness feels. This is what you can make happen. 

I know that life is what we make it and we can make it good.